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Both authors use Pisum sativum as their experimental material, and in consequence, induced muta t ion research and applications in this crop are covered in depth, bu t not at the expense of coverage of the work done on Avena sativa, Glycine max, Hordeum vulgare, Oryza sativa, Secale cereale, Triticum aestivum or Zea mays. Induced mutat ion research and applications in horticultural crops are also covered.

The authors review the pert inent literature since 1965 in detail, with over 1200 papers, reviews and monographs cited, and provide access to the litera- ture of the 1940's through 1965 via cited review papers. Topics not dealt with in depth in the book are provided with extensive reference lists. A par- tial listing of the contents of the book is as follows: methods for inducing mutations, utilization of mutants in crossbreeding, alteration of the shoot system by means of mutations, mutat ions in vegetatively propagated crops and ornamentals, disease resistance, pleiotropic gene action as a negative factor in muta t ion breeding, the alteration of seed storage substances and the nutritional value of mutan t genotypes.

The tone of the book is a satisfying blend of optimism re the use of in- duced muta t ion techniques combined with a realistic acknowledgement of the problems and shortcomings re the use of induced mutat ions in plant breeding.

However, I would have appreciated a concluding chapter consisting of a general discussion of induced mutat ion research and a discussion of the future prospects of induced mutat ions in plant breeding.

Nevertheless, the book is authoritative, comprehensive and readily usable and would make an excellent addition to the libraries of professors of gen- etics and/or plant breeding as well as researchers in the induced muta t ion area. The monograph is not a technical manual bu t is an excellent up-to<late review and a good source of information for further reference.

P.B.E. McVETTY Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Man. R3T 2N2, Canada

OIL SEED AND INDUSTRIAL CROPS

Improvement o f Oil Seed and Industrial Crops by Induced Mutations. Pro- ceedings of an Advisory Group Meeting, Vienna, 17--21 November 1980, organised by the Jo in t FAO/IAEA Division of Isotope and Radiation Applications of Atomic Energy for Food and Agricultural Development. International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria, 1982, 353 pp., Austrian Sch. 600.00, ISBN 92-0-011082-7.

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For the purpose of reviewing the present status of genetic improvement, identifying problems and constraints, outlining breeding procedures and assessing the needs and prospects of using induced mutat ions for the im- provement of various oil seed and industrial crops, the Joint Division of FAO/IAEA has done a commendable job in inviting experts in breeding, pro- cessing and utilization of products of oil-seed and industrial crops. The book under review contains result of this exercise.

The publication has six major selections and two annexes. While the first five sections have 19 review papers, the sixth section is devoted to conclu- sions and recommendations. The two annexes contain two papers and a list of mutan t varieties of off-seed and industrial crops.

The two int roductory papers in section I give an overall view of the status of the world product ion and trade and the needs of oil-seeds and vegetable oils (A. Bozzini) and plant breeding and management, their role in modifying the availability and composi t ion of certain vegetable oils and fats (G. Rob- belen). The paper by Bozzini is a comparative study of the situation of oil seeds and vegetable oils in the developed and the developing countries. The eight tables in this paper give data based on FAO statistics. However, the much needed latest statistics of product ion, area and trade of individual oil and industrial crops, in at least the major growing countries of the world, which would have served as a useful standard reference for a bet ter under- standing of the problems and prospects of individual or groups of oil seed and industrial crops, are lacking. The second paper, a review on 30 oil crop spe- cies, grouped according to their fa t ty acid composit ion, surveys the world supply and demand of vegetable oils, cultivation, products, uses and im- provement prospects. The masterly review in simple bu t impressive language contains valuable information. This information, supported by 48 major standard references, will be of great use to plant breeders, particularly the newcomers all over the world that work with these crops.

Section II deals with genetic improvement of crops primarily producing edible oils and comprises six papers on peanuts, sesame, castor beans, sun- flower, safflower, rapeseed and olive tree breeding. The problem of myco- toxins is also treated. All the six papers contain exhaustive information and are supported by large numbers of authoritative references. The progress and prospects of using induced mutat ions in these crops have been clearly spelt out.

Section III comprises seven review papers on genetic improvement of crops primarily producing industrial material. Industrial uses of vegetable oils treated in these papers include products like paints, surfactants, lubricants, coatings, plastics, cosmetics, adhesives, printing inks, corrosion inhibitors, and fabric conditioners. It would appear that mutat ion breeding can play an important role in further improvement of many of these crops products. Two papers on fibre crops, the prospects of using induced mutat ions for improvement of fibre yield and quality aspects for co t ton and jute, are dis- cussed.

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Section IV contains two papers on oil seed quality requirements for indus- trial processing of edible as well as non-edible products. Plant oils are im- portant raw materials for the production of chemical derivatives for many purposes in the field of industrial fat chemistry. A survey of these applica- tions is presented which shows that the possibilities and applications could remarkably be improved if the compositions of fatty acids could be changed by genetic alteration, particularly through the use of induced mutations.

Section V, dealing with concepts of improving biomass production by higher plants, has two very interesting and informative papers. The tremen- dous potential of induced mutations in energy augmentation through biolog- ical means is clearly brought out. The first paper gives an introduction to biomass concepts for plant breeders and provides background information on bio-energy for those wishing to launch breeding programmes for biomass increase. A comprehensive list of general references on the rapidly expanding literature on biomass is included in the bibliography.

The second paper on biomass production, a plant breeder's view, sum- marizes the factors affecting biomass production, the solar radiation losses in photosynthesis and the possibilities of reducing these losses by plant breed- ing. The author has outlined a basic biomass plant ideotype and gives an overall outlook regarding the possibilities for improving biologically bound energy yields through plant breeding. The different plant breeding methods for improving biomass yields are reviewed. It is opined that use of heterosis and mutation breeding hold much promise. Mutation breeding is considered especially important for producing new material for other breeding methods. Although not directly related to oilseed and industrial crops, concepts of biomass and bio-energy and the possible pathways of harnessing them, in- cluding by mutation breeding, have been treated extensively in these two papers.

Section VI contains general and specific recommendations on oil and industrial crops, mycotoxins and biomass production. Principal conclusions and recommendations for international action are given in conclusion.

Annex I contains two papers which were not presented in the meeting and annex II contains a very useful reference list of new varieties bred by muta- tion breeding in oil seed and industrial crops up to 1980. The impressive list bears testimony to the success of induced mutations in the improvement of these crops species.

This publication will serve as a useful and up-to,late standard reference for all those concerned with oil seed and industrial crops in any capacity; plant breeders, oil chemists, technologists and oil industrialists.

V.L. CHOPRA Division o f Genetics, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India